Celtics targeting January return for Bradley

Just because Bradley has started practicing doesn't mean he'll be available to play tonight. In fact, it looks like early January is the target date range.

Bradley returns to practice for Celtics

It's still too soon to say when he will play again, but Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge told CSNNE.com recently that he anticipates Bradley's return to games being sometime in early January.

Doc Rivers is quick to point out that Bradley is "not a savior" - which is pretty much what I've been saying for weeks. Chris Forsberg agrees.

Boston Celtics mailbag -- Will Avery Bradley's return save this team? - ESPN Boston

Bradley can help bring some much-needed consistency to the Celtics' rotation. But let's keep in mind that it might take some time to get there because (1) Bradley has to shake off some rust after seven months away from contact and (2) the bench guard rotation must be worked out. (How will coach Doc Rivers split minutes with Terry, Lee and even Leandro Barbosa?) The idea of Bradley as a savior is misguided, but he can help this team in a big way.

Bradley can and will help a lot, but it is going to take a lot from everyone to progress to where we want to be.